AT PLAY Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District 4860 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel (831) 372-3196, mprpd.org Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History The bird collection is viewable at 185 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 648-5716, pgmuseum.org Ventana Wildlife Society Information on condors (plus animal cams). ventanaws.org Camping and Hiking The epic hikes in Monterey County could fill this publication by themselves—and they’ll fill imaginations for years. Be on the lookout for poison oak (avoid it) and wildlife (watch, but don’t approach it). Note that slides, floods and other events may affect access. Check for updated information before you go. Andrew Molera State Park This 5,000-acre park stretches along the Pacific for four miles, with access to one of the longest beaches in Big Sur. It offers fishing, hiking, equestrian and picnic facilities. A footbridge over the Big Sur River is installed seasonally. 45500 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2315, parks.ca.gov Arroyo Seco Recreation Area The magnificent Arroyo Seco gorge is flanked by a popular day-use area for swimming, grilling and lounging at the sandy beach. For a more adventurous day (or multiple days), walk up the road to access a number of trails in the Ventana Wilderness. Campgrounds accommodate RVs or tents. Arroyo Seco Road, 5 miles west of the junction with Carmel Valley Road, Greenfield. (831) 385-5434, recreation.gov Garland Ranch Regional Park Miles of nature and equestrian trails wind through this 4,500-acre park, a local favorite that rises from the Carmel River to the headlands of the Santa Lucia range. An hour of energetic uphill hiking affords sweeping panoramic views, or follow creeks (with seasonal footbridges) through majestic redwood canyons. 8.5 miles east of Highway 1 on Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 372-3196, mprpd.org/garland-ranch-regional-park Garrapata State Park Garrapata’s 3,000 acres encompass scenic shorelines, deep canyons and steep mountains. The Soberanes Canyon Trail is lined with redwoods and offers a rewarding hike without the exertion. The full-loop trail remains closed, but another option is an easy coastal loop with beautiful scenery on the west side of Highway 1. 34500 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 624-4909, parks.ca.gov Jacks Peak County Park This park boasts 10 miles of trails, as well as unsurpassed views of Monterey Bay and Carmel. This is a great family park with day hikes in the Monterey pine forest, picnic grounds and a self-guided nature trail. 25020 Jacks Peak Park Road, Monterey. (831) 7966425, countyofmonterey.gov Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park This South Coast state park encompasses 4,000 acres stretching from the Pacific coastline to the 3,000-foot peaks of the Santa Lucia range. Hikers revel in redwood groves, river walks and views of McWay Falls as they empty into the Pacific Ocean; note, there is no beach access here. 52801 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-1112, parks.ca.gov Laguna Seca Recreation Area The county-owned park is unique for its varied offerings, which includes a convenient campground a short distance from either Salinas 40 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2026-2027 montereybaykayaks.com 831.373.5357 MtyBayKayaks_1-2h_FG24_gk.indd 1 3/15/24 12:35 PM
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